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A Few Words On Passwords

Mac users seems to be divided into two distinct groups (my personal analysis based upon non-scientific research of friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers). Those who use a password manager and those who do not. I use one. No, make that four.

The Mac’s built-in Keychain Access app doesn’t qualify as a password manager because Apple made it so easy to use that many Mac users don’t even know it exists. It captures usernames and passwords for logins and email and so on, and presents them when needed. I’m talking about true blue password managers and there are many from which to choose.

About have the Mac users in my unofficial analysis of Mac-using and Mac-loving friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who use a password manager use 1Password. What’s not to like? It holds passwords and other valuable information, syncs all the stored data in the cloud (I use Dropbox to sync because it’s better and faster at syncing than iCloud), and works on iPad and iPhone.

What’s the problem?

Price. More than half of the aforementioned folks in my life complain about the price tag of upgrades every couple of years for macOS and iOS, and word on the streets says 1Password will have an ongoing subscription price tag sometime soon. That alone has caused me to look for alternative passwords managers, specifically those that work with Touch ID fingerprint sensor and do their deeds for an affordable amount.

So, I’ve been trying out various and sundry replacements or alternatives to 1Password, partly because of price tag worries, and partly because I’m less inclined to keep all my username and password eggs in one basket.

Here’s a password manager worth a try. It’s called Datavault Password. Yeah, that’s the name. There’s a version for Mac on macOS and for iPhone and iPad on iOS; with a separate price for each platform. I call Datavault Password the Fisher Price version because it’s colorful and simple to setup and use.

What you get for less is most of the features you’d find in 1Password, including encryption, security time outs, icons for personalization, list or folder view, dozens of default templates (and an option to create your own), and much more to make it easy to store usernames, passwords, and many other items you want kept secure.

Automatically enter usernames, passwords and fields using extensions for Safari, Chrome or Firefox.

Save web form contents directly to DataVault.

Access DataVault’s password generator from Safari, Chrome or Firefox.

Backup your data automatically to insure you never lose your important information.

Create strong passwords using build-in Password Generator with settings for length and types of characters to include.

Strength Meter tells you if you passwords are weak, good or strong.

Synchronize with DataVault for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and other devices (sold separately).

Synchronize using iCloud, Dropbox, Wi-Fi or Webdav.

Automatically sync over Dropbox each time you start DataVault and changes have been made on otherdevices (DataVault Premium).

Manage conflicts if an item has been changed on two devices.

Not too shabby, right? Add bank accounts, credit cards, and other sensitive information you want handy but well secured. Datavault uses Touch ID fingerprint sensor for quick but secure access. And, get this; it can import data from other popular password manager apps, including 1Password, mSecure, Keepass, and others.

Honestly, I like this one. Currently, I’m using 1Password, Enpass, LastPass, and a couple of others in testing and review mode. LastPass is the most elegant for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users. Enpass feels much like a 1Password clone.

The idea, though, is to find a password manager that lets you manage passwords, usernames, credit card and bank information, or anything else of personal value or incriminating value with ease. The Mac’s built-in Keychain Access app doesn’t do that, and it’s non-existent on iPhone and iPad.

My only complaint about some of these password manager apps, and there are many good ones, is the lack of a try-before-you-buy option. Enpass is free for the Mac. LastPass is dirt cheap. Even then, 1Password for Mac has a trial version.

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